The United States Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to offer more than $90,000 in grants to USHJA members this year, including USHJA program grants available for the first time in all 12 USHJA zones.
“We recognize that our members work hard to achieve their goals, and we hope these grants help our members get the most out of these valuable educational programs,” said Kevin Price, USHJA executive director.
USHJA is offering a minimum of two grants per zone to assist members with expenses related to participating in the USHJA Emerging Athletes Program and two grants per zone for those fulfilling the educational component of the USHJA Trainer Certification Program, presented by Markel.
The USHJA Emerging Athletes Program aims to provide young riders the opportunity to gain riding and horsemanship knowledge in their pursuit to become informed and experienced horsemen and women within the hunter/jumper community. Riders accepted into the program participate in a Regional Training Session with a top clinician and stable manager for an opportunity to be selected for a National Training Session, where they can win great prizes. EAP grant applications are due May 1, and program application deadlines are April 17 for early summer sessions and May 5 for late summer sessions.
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| Cecily Hayes, who qualified for the 2016 EAP National Training Session, was the recipient of a USHJA Zone 10 Emerging Athletes Program grant last year to help her participate in the program. Photo credit: Tricia Booker/USHJA Archives |
The USHJA Trainer Certification Program aims to preserve the American Hunter/Jumper Forward Riding System by offering a comprehensive educational program for professional horse trainers. As part of the certification process, interested applicants must complete an educational component, which can include either an online or in person session. The TCP grant helps applicants participate in in-person TCP clinics to fulfill the educational portion, and grant applications are due October 31.
In addition to the program grants, several zones have created other grants and scholarships to address specific needs in their areas, including general education grants, clinic host grants, college scholarships and more. The grants and amounts vary depending on the zone. Applications and deadlines for these grants and scholarships can be found on each individual zone page. Interested members should visitwww.ushja.org/zones, and select grants and scholarships under their zone’s webpage.
For more information about the benefits of a USHJA membership, visit www.ushja.org.